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IMMIGRATION

The key words for describing immigration are

immigrant – the person

immigrate – the verb


immigration – the idea

Note that immigrants (people who enter a country) are also emigrants (people
who leave a country) and also migrants.

1. Some common word combinations


illegal immigrants: – people who enter a country illegally

economic migrants: – people who move country to earn more money

migrant workers: – note that migrant can also work as an adjective

immigrant community/population: – this can be used for people who have


settled in country for some time

influx of immigrants: – this is usually used in a negative sense meaning that


there are too many immigrants

first generation immigrant: – this is either an immigrant or a child on an


immigrant [sometimes it is hyphenated as “first-generation”]

2. Arguments in favour of immigration


dynamism: Immigrants provide dynamism which is beneficial to the economy
and helps growth and competitiveness. For example, many immigrants set up
their own businesses.

unskilled labour: In many countries there is a shortage of unskilled labour and


the immigrant population is typically willing to do work that the native
population is not. This is particularly the case in agricultural communities where
immigrants provide seasonal labour in the harvest season.

skilled labour: A large proportion of young immigrants are highly-qualified


university graduates and they work in fields where there is a shortage of skilled
labour.

childcare: Another benefit that immigrants bring is that they often work in
childcare or as home helps and this enables more mothers to return to work.
boost the economy: Most research shows that encouraging immigration
actually provides a boost to the economy as immigrants are net contributors to
the GDP. There is also evidence that they actually claim fewer benefits and pay
more tax than the native population.

principle of freedom of movement: There is also the consideration that


the principle of freedom of movement is a human right and that people should
be allowed to choose where they live.

short-term only: It should also be considered that many younger migrants return
home once they have earned enough money and will never claim pensions in their
host country.

3. Arguments against immigration


integration: The major argument against immigration is that so many
migrants fail to integrate with the local community and culture and this leads
to social tension and even unrest.

local services and jobs: One common difficulty is that they increase the pressure
on local services and create competition for local jobs and this creates ill-will.

claim benefits/social housing: One reason why people want less immigration is
that immigrants do not pay tax and still claim benefits and require social
housing that is paid for by taxpayers.

schools: Another serious issue is that in some areas schools do not have
sufficient places for the children and so class sizes become unmanageable.

language: Related to this is the problem that many immigrants only have a basic
command of the language and this can lead to difficulties in the classroom and
elsewhere.

loss of trained workers: The impact on poorer countries who lose much of their
trained workforce through emigration should also not be forgotten.

overcrowding/population: Many countries need to limit immigration because


they are already suffering from over-population.

4. Measures and solutions


taxes and law: One possible measure is to ensure that migrants pay taxes and
are subject to the criminal justice system.
language requirements: Another measure that could be put in place is to insist
on a minimum language requirement so that all immigrants are able to integrate
into the community.

deportation: Some people believe that all illegal immigrants should be


deported immediately.

quota: The United States for example has a quota system whereby a fixed number
of green cards are issued every year.

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